Azamgarh Police Books 17 Cyber Fraudsters Under Gangster Act for Rs 110 Crore Scam
In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, Azamgarh police have registered a case under the stringent Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act against 17 individuals arrested in November and December last year. The accused are alleged to have siphoned approximately Rs 110 crore from unsuspecting victims by tricking them into downloading a fraudulent APK file disguised as the 'PM Kisan Yojana' app.
International Links and Modus Operandi Exposed
Investigations have revealed that the gang operated with sophisticated international connections, including handlers based in China, Dubai, and other countries. Their modus operandi involved sending WhatsApp messages containing a link to download the fake 'PM Kisan Yojana' app. Once installed, the malicious application enabled the fraudsters to hack into victims' mobile phones and illegally withdraw funds from their bank accounts.
The scam came to light after a complaint was filed by Karan Gupta on November 18, 2025. Gupta reported that immediately after installing the app, Rs 7.77 lakh was withdrawn from his account. This prompted a swift response from the Cyber Crime Police Station in Azamgarh, leading to the initial arrests.
Arrests and Seizures
The police action unfolded in two phases:
- November 30, 2025: Two accused were apprehended.
- December 8, 2025: An additional 15 suspects were arrested.
At the time of arrest, authorities seized substantial evidence, including:
- 26 mobile phones
- 15 SIM cards
- 14 ATM cards
- Cash amounting to Rs 26,500
- Two cars used in the commission of the crimes
- A large quantity of electronic equipment
Furthermore, Rs 17.5 lakh found in the bank accounts of the accused was frozen to prevent further illicit transactions.
Legal Proceedings and Gangster Act Invocation
Azamgarh SSP Anil Kumar stated that following a recommendation on March 16 and subsequent approval of the gang chart by the Azamgarh district magistrate, a case under Section 3(1) of the UP Gangster Act was officially registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station. This legal move underscores the severity of the interstate and international cyber fraud operation, which has been linked to losses totaling around Rs 110 crore.
The accused hail from various regions across India, highlighting the widespread nature of the network. The list includes individuals from Jharkhand, Deoria, Lucknow, Rampur, Delhi, Raipur, Kanpur, Sonbhadra, Ghazipur, Shahjahanpur, Chandauli, Gorakhpur, and Bihar's Kaimur Bhabhua district.
With the Gangster Act now invoked, further legal proceedings are underway to ensure comprehensive prosecution and justice for the victims affected by this large-scale cyber fraud scheme.
